By: Shayla Terry

Swinging into a new season, the Luverne Tigers defeated the Highland Home Flying Squadron Monday afternoon, 5-4.

“It was a great way to get the season started,” Head Coach Brad Horn said.

“When we started, you could tell both teams wanted that win. It was an awesome day for baseball.”

The game drew quite the audience from both teams, and great weather carried the day.

Horn attributes the success of the game to good pitching. Senior Hunter Blake Stallings pitched four innings. He threw 49 pitches before sophomore Dionte (Tay) Brantley finished the game. Brantley threw for 28 pitches of his own.

“Our pitching was quality,” Horn said.

“To go seven innings with just over 70 pitches is a very good day for the pitching staff.”

Highland Home boasted a solid pitching staff, and rallied against the Tigers the whole way through.

Offensively, Horn says that the Tigers have a few flaws they are working to correct.

“We didn’t hit as well as we like,” he said.

“We need to minimize mistakes on bases.”

At least two innings, the Tigers finished with players left on the bag, accompanied by base running mistakes.

“Base running mistakes cost us a few runs,” Horn said.

Despite mistakes, several players were able to score for the Tiger team. Hunter Kendrick rounded the bases twice for the Tigers. Marquese Davison, Tj Peagler and Nick Lewis also contributed a run each.

The Tigers’ game against Red Level for Tuesday night was canceled, and has been rescheduled for Thursday night in Red Level.

On Friday night the Tigers will host a double header against Straughn. Games will begin at 4 p.m.